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The Mayflower Compact
The first document signed by the pilgrims in the plymouth colony. It was to begin self government and show independance from England. The pilgrims would make all their own laws and punishments, as well as elect their leaders. -
The Bill of Rights
The Bill of Rights restricted the power of the crrown and began asking for the approval of citizens. This helped lead to the creation of democracy. -
First Continental Congress
Delegates from 12 colonies drew up a list of rights and demands to send to King George III of Britain. -
The American Revolution
The thirteen colonies joined forces to seperate themselves from England. During this time, the thirteen colonies became the United States of Am -
Second Continental Congress
The thirteen colonies who wrote the Olive Branch Petition, a request to meet King George to discuss the seperation of the colonies from England, after the First Continental Congress was denied by the king. This request was also denie -
American Revolutionary War Begins
This war began between the thriteen colonies and Britain, the colonies were fighting for independance because of the denial of their previou non-violent attempts to seperate themselves. -
Declaration of Independance
This statement declared the thirteen colonies seperate from the British Empire. They were now regarded as seperate states -
The Articles of Confederation
This was an agreement between the thirteen independant states and served as their first constitution -
The Last Battle of the Revolutionary War
After the last battle of the war, the thirteen states set up a government under the laws of the Articles of Confederation. las -
British Trading Stops
Tarriffs against British goods are enforced. The colonies recieved no imports or exports because of the tarriffs which impacted the colonies negatively. -
Mt. Vernon Conference
Virginia and Maryland representatives meet at George Washington's estate to discuss the jurisdiction of the Potomac and Pocomoke Rivers. -
Shay's Rebellion
Daniel Shays led 1200 Massachusetts farmers to attack the federal arsenal in Springfield. The rebellion was stopped shortly after it began, but it led leaders to the fact that change was needed for the US to survive. -
Drafting the Constitution
Delegates from most states met in 1786 at the Annapolis Convention, nothing was decided so they decided to meet the following year at a convention in Philadelphia. -
Impost Amendment Fails
The Impost Amendment would have risen revenues, but New York rejected the amendment. The Atricles required unanimous votes, therefore the amendment failed. -
Virginia Plan
edmund Randolph proposed this. It would provide a central government and the representation would be based on the population of the state. -
New Jersey Plan
Calls for equal representation of all states, no matter the population. The south also abandons the idea that slaves count as an entire person. Proposed by William Paterson. -
Connecticut Compromise
Combining the New Jersey and Virginia plans, it allowed for equal representation in the lower house, but the Senate will have two representatives, and the senators wil be elected by legislators, not voters. -
Great Compromise
Finally adopted by the convention, however not unanimously, the convention resolved the small vs large states conflict. The 3/5 compromise is also included, this is how slaves would be accounted for in population counts. -
The Presidency is Born
The House of Representatives is given the choice to choose a president, the term lasted 7 years and a second term was not an option. This decision pleases all states. -
Constitutional Convention
The delegates met up again and came to the conclusion that a revision of the Articles wouldn't work. They needed a whole new constitution. co -
Slave Trade Debate
Atlantic slave trade would not be allowed for the next 20 years, but congress can tax the slaves imported into the country. -
Signing the American Constitution
Almost all of the delegates held their final meeting to sign the new constitution. -
Final Draft of the Constitution sent to Congress
The delegates send the constitution to the congress to get approved. -
Constitution Ratified
Congress approves the new constitution -
New Hampshire Approves the Constitution
New Hampshire finally approved the constitution after being the last state required to pass it. -
American Constitution
The constitution is finalized and becomes the new statement of laws.
